CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Charlottetown man who caused an accident while driving after taking fentanyl that he thought was heroin was sentenced recently to seven days in jail.
Tye James Poirier, 24, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to impaired driving.
The court heard Poirier was driving on Kensington Road in Charlottetown when he rear-ended another vehicle.
A drug-recognition expert determined Poirier was impaired by a narcotic analgesic.
Defence lawyer Conor Mullin told the court that at the time, Poirier was under the influence of what he believed was heroin but turned out to be fentanyl.
Poirier has been seeking treatment for his addiction, Mullin said.
In sentencing Poirier, Orr said she considered that he caused an accident, although there were no injuries.
“Probably more good luck than good management under the circumstances,” she said.
Orr also told Poirier it was fair to say he had a “fortunate escape” given the dangerous nature of fentanyl.
Along with the jail time, which Poirier will serve on weekends, he must pay a $1,200 fine and is banned from driving for one year.
